Toll Collection: Tax revenue is generated from millions of vehicles that pass through toll plazas, which is allocated for the upkeep, repair, and development of road infrastructure. However, there are instances where toll fees are erroneously deducted from individuals. In 2024, refunds were processed for 1.255 million cases of incorrect toll charges at toll gates.
Currently, toll fees are automatically deducted via FASTag, but this system has its shortcomings. For example, there are occasions when tolls are charged twice, when vehicles that do not pass through the toll still incur charges, or when fees exceed the established rates for specific routes or vehicle categories. Additionally, technical malfunctions and incorrect entries by toll operators can lead to excessive charges.
During a session in the Lok Sabha on Thursday, Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari stated that toll agencies found liable for erroneous toll collections could face fines up to 1,500 times the amount of the incorrectly collected toll.
He noted, “The National Payment Corporation of India (NPCI), which oversees the Central Clearing House (CCH) services for the National Electronic Toll Collection (NETC) program, identified 1.255 million instances of incorrect toll collection from a total of 4.1 billion FASTag transactions in 2024, representing 0.03 percent of all transactions.”
How to apply for refund
If you believe that an erroneous deduction has occurred from your FASTag account, you can request a refund. To do so, you may contact the toll-free number 1033 or send an email to falsededuction@ihmcl.com to initiate your claim.